YMCA has goal to raise $345,000 with Annual Campaign

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County kicked off its month-long Annual Campaign Oct. 10 at the Delray Beach Club, aiming to raise $345,000 to assist with memberships, summer camps and sports for low-income families.

"The fundraising is all about providing access to those who may not otherwise be able to afford to go to summer camp, buy a membership or play a sport," said Dick Pollock, president and CEO of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County. "We're a very inclusive organization."

Last year, the financial support of campaign donors raised nearly $330,000, which allowed the YMCA to provide programs such as sports, after-school care and preschool to those in need through its Financial Assistance Program.

The fundraising blitz runs until Nov. 10.

Comprised of two main facilities – The Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton and The DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach – the organization hopes to build relationships for programming in Delray Beach despite the city not having its own club.

"Delray Beach sits right in the center of our service area and we're very interested in having a stronger presence there," Pollock said. "Maybe at some point we can have a conversation about opening a facility."

Conversations have occurred with Delray Beach City Commissioners, Major Cary Glickstein and City Manager Louie Chapman Jr. to offer services to city residents, particularly collaborations with Parks and Recreation on drowning prevention and the Type 2 Diabetes epidemic, Pollock said.

"We have a desire as an organization to provide services to the residents of Delray Beach," he said.

This summer the YMCA partnered with the Milagro Center in Delray Beach to provide swimming lessons to the center's summer campers.

"Without the assistance from the YMCA South Palm Beach County our 40 Milagro children would have gone yet another summer without learning how to swim and be safe in the water," said Barbara Stark, operations director for the Milagro Center. "What a necessary and basic skill to have particularly in South Florida where we are surrounded by bodies of water."

The organization has three main impact areas: healthy living, youth development and social responsibility.

YMCA's are known for the abundance of fitness classes and health courses offered at their facilities. Clubs nationwide are highlighting the childhood obesity epidemic and the rise and those diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

The organization's provides youth development through its summer camps, after-school programs, preschool and other youth activities.

"The YMCA is completely focused on helping kids develop in a variety of ways," Pollock said. "They're learning while they're having fun."

The organization also promotes social responsibility by "encouraging volunteers to get involved, whether it's as a coach or with fundraising," Pollock said.

For additional details on this year's Annual Campaign, visit ymcaspbc.org.

The YMCA is also having two other fundraising events next month.

The 2013 annual Wine Tasting Event benefiting the YMCA of South Palm Beach County will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in Delray Beach. Tickets to the event will be $25 in advance and $30 at the door. All proceeds from the event and silent auction will go toward the 2013 Annual Campaign for the YMCA.

Additionally, The Corporate Cup Challenge Olympic-style team competition will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Peter Blum Family YMCA in Boca Raton. All funds raised support the Financial Assistance Program.

Awards are given to the top three teams, and the overall team champion will be presented with the Corporate Cup Trophy to display in their office for the year, as well as bragging rights.